I read one of your e-mail exchanges with much interest. I agree
with many of your conclusions about AA, and disagree with a few. AA's program
of recovery is clearly "Religious" in nature and heavily relies
on a relationship with God for the success of it's members.

I, like you, was an atheist when I first stepped into a 12 step
based treatment center in 1979. I didn't believe in God, and didn't want
to. But my addiction had totally destroyed my life and I was desperate.
So desperate in fact that I was willing to challenge my atheistic beliefs.
While in treatment I asked myself the question "What if I'm wrong?
What if there really is a God, and I've just never experienced Him?".
As I contemplated those thoughts it occurred to me that I would have nothing
to lose by praying as an experiment. I reasoned that if God existed, and
had an interest in my life, He would be able to make himself real to me.
I asked him to do that, and moments later I had an indescribable experience
in which I sensed the Power, Love and availability of God. I have never
relapsed since that day and continue to see God as Powerful partner helping
me in my life.

Though I have a strong bias toward God centered recovery I don't
dispute that people can abstain from chemicals in other ways. Out of curiosity
is there any research demonstrating the effectiveness RR?

Saul

Cliff Responde:

At least you are more honest than AA co-founder Bill W., in that
he had his conversion experience while enduring the combined experience
of the most vicious form of alcohol detox and the effects of the
powerful hallucinogen belladonna. I've tried that stuff, and I know why he converted to theism!